Guatemalan Counterinsurgency Strategy

In the 70s, Guatemala faced a serious insurgent threat and was forced to fight the insurgents alone once the U.S. withdrew support as a result of alleged human rights abuses. The insurgent leadership took advantage of the Guatemalan militarys weakened capability. In 1982, the government initiated a new strategy which turned the conflict in favor of the government and the people. Reconciliation of the Guatemalan family and adherence to the highest rules of justice were objectives of the strategy. The government initiated a series of campaign plans. The Victory 82 campaign established security and started redevelopment of the country. The Firmness 83 campaign enhanced security and sought to create a climate of peace, settlement and self-defense. The Institutional Rediscovery 84 campaign continued development by expanding reconstruction of areas destroyed by the war and set up the electoral process which resulted in national elections. The National Stability 85 campaign consolidated security, development, and result of these campaigns, and the insurgents were reduced to about 900 criminals. The Guatemalan government is the first Latin American country to defeat an insurgent without direct or indirect U.S. involvement.